scholarly journals Library and Information Services in Marginalised and Under-Resourced Communities in South Africa: Ecosystem Services and Their Implications

Libri ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Mojapelo ◽  
Luyanda Dube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Democratic Elections

AbstractDaunting backlogs in terms of the library and information resource-provision in communities remain a stumbling block for all people, particularly youths, to have equitable access to information as a commodity to satisfy their dynamic and diverse ever-evolving information needs. In South Africa, the system of ruling called apartheid, also known as separate development, was officially nullified by the first democratic elections in 1994. All people including those in under-served rural communities need equitable access to information in varied formats for personal growth and development however, in the library and information services (LIS) sector, existing divisions, barriers or boundaries impede diverse users with wide-ranging information needs to fulfil them. User groups of libraries are currently divided along the still-prevailing historical divisions, an example being how university libraries are traditionally intended to cater for the information needs of their students, academics and administrative staff. Despite fulfilling their teaching needs, university libraries are also expected to cater for the research needs of students and academics to fulfil research projects, presenting university libraries as existing solely for teaching and research purposes. The key findings of the study are that most LIS are still distinctly divided with regard to their user-groups and ecosystems, with collaborations and partnerships very minimal in the LIS sector in South Africa. The study concludes that these distinct divisions deny multiple users the opportunity to equitably access information resources to meet their information needs daily. The study recommends that, based on the literature review, a holistic interconnected complex network of libraries working and existing as an ecosystem can be a viable solution to provision of LIS in resource-poor rural South African communities where there is inadequate resource-provision. The study also recommends borderless and seamless access to all libraries to enable multiple and diverse users to satisfy their dynamic and ever-changing information needs.

The awakening information needs of the developing countries

1979 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 285-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjorn V. Tell
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Network ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Online Systems ◽  
The Awakening ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Centres Of Excellence

The developing countries arc emulating the industrialized countries when setting up information services to cater for their information needs. However, the traditional infrastruc ture of service organisations may not be the best model for supporting easy and speedy access to information. A different approach is argued, founded upon the enthusiasm with which many developing countries have taken to online systems when demonstrated there. A model for a ministerial information network is proposed as part of a "social intel ligence function" of the country. It is proposed that Unesco and UNIDO should set up regional "centres of excellence" according to this model for developing countries.

Research on user needs for mobile information services in Chinese university libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Shengli Deng ◽  
Ting Gao ◽  
Ruoxin Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Information Content ◽  
Mobile Services ◽  
Information Services ◽  
User Needs ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Information ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Mobile Information Services

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the service demand of existing users and potential users for mobile information services provided by university libraries in China. The primary objective is to explore the impact of user experience on user needs, which is conducted by a comparison between two user groups over their needs from three aspects – service function, service mode and information content. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 353 library users from ten Chinese universities via questionnaires. Based on the user needs model, three dimensions of user needs were established for mobile information services and 26 measurement items were generated through a review of the literature. Furthermore, based on frequency analysis, independent samples t-test and the calculation of need rate, the demand differences in mobile information services between existing and potential users were explored. Findings Significant differences existed in the needs for service functions and service modes of mobile information services between existing users and potential users. Existing users cared more about such characteristics as intelligence, personalization and the variety of mobile services. Potential users, in contrast, concerned themselves more with the usability of mobile services and similarity to traditional information services. These two user groups showed little difference in the needs for information content, as they both have strict requirements for specialty, richness in and quality of information resources in mobile network environments. Originality/value Previous research on user needs for mobile libraries services has been primarily conducted from the perspectives of existing users. This study, however, compared the needs of existing and potential users based on their previous experiences, which can help libraries to know better what their users need and improve the quality of mobile information services to meet those needs. This can also make existing users more willing to use the services and cultivate the usage habits of potential users at the same time.

scholarly journals Availability of Library and Information Services for Rural Community Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Ewatto, in Esan South East LGA of Edo State

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome Idiegbeyan-ose ◽  
Olalekan Adekunjo ◽  
Promise Ilo ◽  
Frederick Odion
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Edo State ◽  
Health Occupation ◽  
Rural Dwellers

Abstract Objective – This paper examines the availability of Library and Information Services in a rural community using as a case study the community of Ewatto in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State in Nigeria Methods – Questionnaires were distributed by hand in each of Ewatto’s eighteen villages. Results – The survey found that the information needs of Ewatto rural dwellers are in the areas of health, occupation, politics, as well as family and education. Their major sources of information include town criers, oral information from neighbours and newspapers. The major challenges hindering information availability include absence of libraries and information service centres, lack of internet connectivity and poor attitude of rural extension workers. Conclusion – For any nation to develop maximally, rural communities must be provided with adequate, relevant, and up-to-date information, the authors recommend the establishment of a library and information centre in Ewatto.

Role of Librarians and Medical Information Experts in Response to Covid-19 in Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-304
Author(s):  
Nasrin Aliasghari
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
The World ◽  
Terrestrial Life ◽  
Knowledge Brokers

Human being has always faced different critical situations and unpredictable events such as floods, earthquakes and terrible infectious diseases such as cholera, plague, tuberculosis and influenza. However, it is believed that the Coronavirus (Covid-19) has been the most shocking pandemic that led to destructive effects in all geographical areas of the world and all aspect of terrestrial life. The governments increasingly enact quarantines, curfews, closures, and other restrictive controls against the countries, citizens, and institutions and deploy their facilities to tackle the infection and prevent its spread (1). Amid the anxiety of lock downs and the cancellation of educational programs around the world, researcher support has not stopped, and a group of knowledge brokers, led by librarians and medical informantionists, are constantly providing information services. Information is an urgent and essential commodity in any crisis. Therefore, librarians and information experts have to be always prepared to meet the information needs of society and provide the users with access to information.

The Usage of Government Law Libraries in South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Mashilo Modiba ◽  
Mamotshabo Boloka
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Judicial System ◽  
Legal Research ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Legal Information ◽  
The Government ◽  
Law Reports

Government law libraries have an important role to play in the development of the judicial system in South Africa by providing information resources to legal practitioners, so that they can perform their judicial duties effectively. The better the information services provided by government libraries in South Africa, the more likely it is that legal practitioners will use them and produce quality judgments, thus strengthening the judicial system. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the accessibility and relevancy of the services offered by government law libraries in South Africa, and 2) to identify the factors that hinder this contribution to the legal practitioner’s information needs. Law librarians and library clerks were sampled to participate in this study. The findings suggest that government law resources are accessed both physically and electronically. The physical use of government law libraries to access law books, law journals, loose-leafs and law reports was found to be limited, because the printed legal information resources are outdated. However, government law libraries are used extensively to conduct legal research electronically using Sabinet, Juta Online Publications, LexisNexis, Westlaw, HeinOnline and SAFLII. The electronic resources were found to be accurate and up to date. As a result, the government law libraries services are relevant to both judicial officers and legal practitioners.

Access to Information for Small Business Managers: Examination of Some Strategies and Values

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
France Bouthillier
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Service Model ◽  
Access Information

Understanding how specific groups of users access information is central for developing adequate library and information services and systems. The paper presents preliminary and partial results of a study on the information needs of small business managers and their information service requirements. The study aimed at identifying a service model that would fit the needs and requirements. . .

Public libraries as facilitators of information services

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinashe Mugwisi ◽  
Glenrose Velile Jiyane ◽  
Madeleine C. Fombad
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Adults And Children

Public libraries are important institutions to support access to information services. Many communities, especially in rural areas, cannot afford to access information services and rely on free libraries in their communities in their quest for information services. The need for libraries to serve multicultural information users should therefore be reflected in their attempts to provide access to information services in their communities. This article reports on a study of libraries as facilitators of access to information services in a developing context. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 24 conveniently selected librarians from 9 public libraries in Northern Library Region in the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Interviews were further conducted with 98 diverse information users who were randomly sampled during data collection. Findings indicate that public libraries provide diverse information services to learners, parents, general workers, students, women and young adults and children in their different age groups, occupations and general activities performed in their role of facilitating access to information services. These diverse users have diverse information needs, which create some challenges in the provision of information services. It was found that limited funding, shortage of skills and knowledge, technology and time, among others, are challenges limiting provision of information services in these libraries. Recruiting potential users, contesting for increased funding, lobbying for support, facilitation of technological training of skills are some recommendations made by this study.

Requirements Analysis of Information Services for Patients on a General Practitioner's Website

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (06) ◽  
pp. 629-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Abu-Hanna ◽  
A. H. Prins
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
User Groups ◽  
On Line ◽  
Public Health Institutions ◽  
Requirements Document ◽  
Level Of Importance

Summary Objective : To elicit and analyze information needs of patients and primary care physicians (GPs) regarding the information services (static and functional) that a GP's practice website should provide. Methods : To find candidate information services, we conducted a literature search and examined primary care physicians' websites, especially Dutch websites. Semi-structured depth interviews with the stakeholders, Dutch patients and GPs, were done to arrive at a final checklist. We then conducted a survey to elicit the level of importance associated with each service on the checklist. The data underwent statistical analysis and relevant requirements were formulated. The requirements were then validated by interviews. General website quality and usability aspects were elicited from the literature. Results : The research resulted in a checklist of 38 selected information services including their priority ratings for patients and GPs; a discrepancy list between GP and patient priorities; and a requirements document containing information services (14 static and 6 functional), and general quality and usability aspects (8 and 5). Conclusion : The following items occurred in the top 10 of both user groups: general practice information, information of local public health institutions, self-help information, repeat prescription, links to health websites. At the bottom on both priority lists were: links to journals, tests and forums. Dutch GPs are much more selective in terms of which information services to provide on-line. Discrepancy between the two groups concerns on-line services that seem to require a change to the GP's workflow, or those services that are not recognized for reimbursing the GP. Although the Dutch patients' requirements seem to generalize to other patients, the conflict list might depend on the primary care system.

ROLE OF LIBRARIANS IN TEACHING INFORMATION LITERACY IN ZIMBABWEAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinashe Mugwisi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
Information Skills ◽  
The University

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) and the Internet have to a large extent influenced the way information is made available, published and accessed. More information is being produced too frequently and information users now require certain skills to sift through this multitude in order to identify what is appropriate for their purposes. Computer and information skills have become a necessity for all academic programmes. As libraries subscribe to databases and other peer-reviewed content (print and electronic), it is important that users are also made aware of such sources and their importance. The purpose of this study was to examine the teaching of information literacy (IL) in universities in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and the role played by librarians in creating information literate graduates. This was done by examining whether such IL programmes were prioritised, their content and how frequently they were reviewed. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 12 university libraries in Zimbabwe and 21 in South Africa. A total of 25 questionnaires were returned. The findings revealed that IL was being taught in universities library and non-library staff, was compulsory and contributed to the term mark in some institutions. The study also revealed that 44 per cent of the total respondents indicated that the libraries were collaborating with departments and faculty in implementing IL programmes in universities. The study recommends that IL should be an integral part of the university programmes in order to promote the use of databases and to guide students on ethical issues of information use.

THE STATE OF OPEN ACCESS ADOPTION IN LEGAL SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION: AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED OPEN ACCESS RESOURCES

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-100
Author(s):  
Solomon Bopape
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Open Access Publishing ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Legal Information ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
Open Access Resources ◽  
The Right

The study of law focuses, among other aspects, on important issues relating to equality, fairness and justice in as far as free access to information and knowledgeis concerned. The launching of the Open Access to Law Movement in 1992, the promulgation of the Durham Statement on Open Access to Legal Scholarshipin 2009, and the formation of national and regional Legal Information Institutes (LIIs) should serve as an indication of how well the legal world is committed to freely publishing and distributing legal information and knowledge through the Internet to legal practitioners, legal scholars and the public at large aroundthe world. In order to establish the amount of legal scholarly content which is accessible through open access publishing innovations and initiatives, this studyanalysed the contents of websites for selected open access resources on the Internet internationally and in South Africa. The results of the study showed that there has been a steady developing trend towards the adoption of open access for legal scholarly literature internationally, while in South Africa legal scholarly literature is under the control of commercial publishers. This should be an issue for the legal scholarship which, among its focus, is to impart knowledge about the right of access to information and knowledge.

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